Report: Saints Tackle Zach Strief Expected To Retire

Spending 12 seasons with the Saints, longtime right tackle Zach Strief is reportedly looking to move into the next phase of his life.

Before the 2017 season, Strief admitted that if he felt that the Saints had a viable replacement for his position that he would be okay walking away. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, that time has come.

As Rapoport says, this wouldn't be an unexpected retirement.

But what could be waiting for Strief outside of the Saints O-line? About a year ago, he became part owner of Port Orleans Brewery, and became a father when his son was born in January.

Strief was in the pivotal 2006 draft class out of Northwestern. He joined Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Jahri Evans, and Roman Harper as rookies for the Saints in 2006.

Here's a kicker. If he does indeed retire, only Drew Brees and punter Thomas Morstead remain from the 2009 Super Bowl winning team.

If Strief does retire, that frees up $2.775 million in salary cap for the Saints. That being said, they'll need to find help at the tackle position. As they learned this past season, having a backup could be crucial. And Senio Kelemete is a free agent who could find a starting position on another team.